Photographic film sheets with gripping means to facilitate tearing



p 1967 D. D. CASAVANT ETAL 333352? PHOTOGRAPHIC FILM SHEETS WITH GRIPPING 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 I": F a e. n W T Tro NEYS w Mg 11%? D. 0. CASAVANT ETAL PHOTOGRAPHIC FILM SHEETS WITH GRIP ING MEANS TO FACILITATE TEARING 3 SheetsSheet 2 Filed Dec. 21, 1962 INVENT RS AMA/ 9 W 1119 39%? D. D. CASAVANT ETAL 3, 9

PHOTOGRAPHIC FILM SHEETS WITH GRIPPING MEANS T0 FACILITATE TEARING Filed Dec. 21,, 1962 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 IN EQTORS M AT RNEYS BY MW United States Patent 3,313,627 PHQTGGRAPHIC FILM SHEETS WIIH GREPING MEANS T9 FACELITATE TEARMG Donald Casavant, Waitham, Nicholas Gold, Arlington,

and Arthur .I. Sable, Boston, Mass, assignors to Polaroid Corporation, Camhricge, Mass, a corporation of Delaware Filed Dec. 21, 1962, Ser. No. 246,471 8 Claims. (Cl. %76) This invention relates to photographic products and particularly to composite products including a pair of sheets which are treated with a fluid distributed therebetween.

The photographic product of the invention is particularly intended for incorporation in photographic apparatus for copying documents and generally comprising means for exposing a photosensitive image-recording sheet in conjunction with an original (document) to be copied to produce an image in the image-recording sheet and means for processing the image-recording sheet in conjunction with a second sheet to produce therefrom a visible copy of the original. Processing is dry and is accomplished by superposing the exposed image-recording sheet with a second or image-receptive sheet and distributing a processing liquid between the superposed sheets to etiect the formation of a transfer image on the second sheet preferably by a silver halide difiFusion-transfer reversal process such as is described in US. Patent No. 2,662,822, issued Dec. 15, 1953, in the name of Edwin H. Land. The document-copying apparatus of this type is designed to produce a plurality of copies utilizing successive areas of continuous image-recording and second sheets with the processing liquid required for each copy being provided in a separate container from which it is dispensed for distribution between the associated areas of the two sheets from which each copy is made.

Document-copying apparatus of this type is to be distinguished from other types of document-copying apparatus in which the sheet materials (usually two in number) for each copy are provided as separate sheets rather than portions of two continuous sheets; the processing liquid is provided in a container which is part of the apparatus, in a quantity sufiicient to produce a plurality of copies; and/or the processing is a wet process in which either or both sheets are immersed in the liquid rather than a dry process in which the liquid is confined between the sheets and does not come into contact with the apparatus.

An object of the invention is to provide in a photographic product comprising a pair of sheets including a succession of areas arranged to be superposed with one another and treated with a liquid distributed between the superposed areas, novel and improved means for severing portions of one of said sheets each including one of said areas from other portions of said one sheet intermediate said areas.

Another object of the invention is to provide in a photographic product as described means in the form of relatively high tear-strength strips secured to said one sheet at lines at which said one sheet is severed and means for facilitating the severing of said one sheet along said lines.

Other objects of the invention will in part be obvious and will in part appear hereinafter.

The invention accordingly comprises the product possessing the features, properties and the relation of components which are exemplied in the following detailed disclosure, and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the claims.

For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a document-copying apparatus embodying the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the apparatus of FIG- URE 1 shown in an inverted position;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view of the apparatus of FIGURE 1 taken substantially midway between the sides;

FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 are fragmentary sectional views taken respectively along the lines 4-4, 5--5, 6-6 of FIG. 3, illustrating details of the construction of the apparatus;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view partially in section illustrating a component of the apparatus;

FIGS. 8 and 9 are fragmentary sectional views of components of the apparatus illustrating the operation thereof;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary perspective view of a portion of a sheet embodying the invention; and

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 11-11 of FIG. 3 illustrating the construction of a component of the apparatus.

The product of the invention is illustrated as incorporated in document-copying apparatus designed to be expendable following its use to make a predetermined number of copies, and characterized by a construction which is simple and inexpensive and designed for manual operation. With the exception of the containers of processing liquid, each holding sufiicient liquid to produce 'a copy, the apparatus, including the sheet materials, is completely self-contained; and is designed to be operated manually in the presence of ambient light (which is used for exposures). The apparatus is capable of producing high-quality copies in a minimum of time with a minimum of effort and expense utilizing materials with which the apparatus is initially loaded and supplied.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 1 through 3 of the drawings wherein there is illustrated document-copying apparatus embodying the product invention. The apparatus comprises a generally parallelpiped shaped housing 18 having side walls 12 and 14, end walls 16 and 18, an upper wall 29 and a lower wall 22, it being understood that the expressions upper and lower are used for the purposes of description and not in a limiting sense to denote the position in which the apparatus must be disposed during operation. In order to provide for the most inexpensive and economical construction for the housing, the latter may take the form shown in which the side walls are formed of material such as sheet metal having substantial structural strength and designed to support a majority of the operating elements and materials of the apparatus. The upper, lower and end walls on the other hand are not required to have the structural strength of the side walls and are formed of a less expensive material, such as cardboard, which is joined to the Side walls by crimping the edges of the side walls in engagement with the edges of the upper, lower and end walls.

The upper wall 20 of housing 10 is formed with a rectangular opening having an area at least equal and preferably slightly greater than the originals which the apparatus is designed to copy. This opening in upper wall 20 is designated 24 and the upper wall is provided with a rectangular supporting frame 26 disposed in surrounding relation to the opening. The frame is formed, for example, of an organic plastic material and is provided for purposes which will be described hereinafter. Lower wall 22 is also formed with an opening, designated 28, at least coextensive in size with the copies to be produced in the apparatus. A rectangular frame 30 formed of a pliant material such as foam rubber, is secured to the outer surface of lower wall 22 in surrounding relation to opening 28 at the borders of the opening, and provides a lighttight seal between the lower wall and any generally fiat surface on which the apparatus is supported during operation.

The apparatus includes a supply of such image-recording sheet material, herein designated 32, is provided on a conventional spool 33 supported at its ends on side walls 12 and 14 intermediate the ends of the housing adjacent the end of opening 24 nearest end wall 16. Imagerecording sheet 32 is approximately equal in Width to the width of the original documents which the apparatus is designed for copying and has a length which is many times the length of such documents so that the apparatus is capable of producing, with the materials with which it is initially loaded, a predetermined large (e.g., 100) number of copies. Image-recording sheet 32 comprises a photosensitive image-recording material such as a gelatino silver halide emulsion carried on a suitable support sheet such as paper.

Ambient light for exposing the image-recording sheet is admitted to the housing through opening 24, and the apparatus includes means for controlling the admission of light into the housing and means for positioning successive areas of the photosensitive sheet for exposure in superposition with original documents to be copied. The apparatus disclosed is designed to produce direct copies, that is, copies made by exposing the image-recording sheet to light transmitted through the original, and accordingly the layer of photosensitive material is provided on the surface of sheet 32 which faces upper wall 20.

Opening 24 is provided with a light-transmitting window 34 supported in frame 26 which may be formed of an organic plastic material and is provided with a groove for engaging the edges of window 34. The window, which may be transparent or translucent, is capable of transmitting light actinic to the image-recording sheet and comprises a relatively stiff or rigid sheet material such as glass or a suitable organic plastic material such as one of the acrylics.

Means are provided for supporting successive areas of sheet 32 within the housing in position for exposure underlying window 34. In the form shown, these means comprise a rectangular tray 36 having a bottom Wall 38 at least coextensive with window 34 and upstanding end and side walls designated 40 each formed with an outwardly projecting flange 4-2. Engaged within the end and side walls of the tray and supported on bottom wall 38 thereof is a pad 44 formed of a pliant material such as as elastomeric or polymeric foam. The thickness of pad 44 is such that the upper surface of the pad projects substantially above end and side walls 40 of tray 36. Supporting frame 26 includes side members 46 formed with inwardly facing channels 48 in which flanges 42 on the side walls of tray 36 are engaged and supported for limited movement toward and away from window 34. Coil springs 50 mounted on brackets 52 in turn mounted on side Walls 12 and 14 are provided for biasing tray 36 and pad 44 toward Window 34.

Means are provided in the housing for preventing exposure of image-recording sheet 32 by light admitted through opening 28 and for guiding the photosensitive sheet from spool 33 into position for exposure between pad 44 and window 34. These means comprise a memher in the form of a continuous Wall, designated 54, formed of a light-opaque sheet material such as metal to provide a first section 56 extending from forward wall 20 adjacent an end of frame 26 between the latter and end wall 16 toward rear wall 22 to a location adjacent rear wall 22 at an end edge of opening 28; a second section 58 extending from the first section across a portion of opening 28 toward end wall 18 and generally parallel with lower wall 22; a third section 60 generally cylindrical in shape extending toward forward wall 20 and conforming in curvature to the aligning discs on the ends of spool 33; and a fourth section 62 including an end portion disposed within opening 24 adjacent an edge of window 34 and extending toward the opposite edge of the window and generally parallel therewith. Wall 54 is joined at its lateral edges to side walls 12 and 14 and provides, in conjunction with forward wall 20, side walls 12 and 14 and an end portion, designated 64, of support tray 36, a chamber for enclosing a supply of image-recording sheet 32 mounted on spool 33 and having an exit passage 66 defined by end portion 64 of frame 26 and fourth section 62 of wall 54.

On one of end Walls 40 of tray 36 is engaged for limited movement in a recess, or recesses, formed in a supporting plate or plates 68 engaged between the third and fourth sections 69 and 62 where the sections join; and the flange 42 at the opposite end of tray 36 is engaged in a channel 70 in a supporting member 72 formed for example of an organic plastic material and supported at its ends on side walls 12 and 14.

The apparatus includes means for preventing the admission of light through window 34 except when it is desired to make an exposure and for controlling the duration of the exposure. These means comprise a door 74 mounted at one edge on frame 26 for pivotal move ment between a closed position in which the door is superposed with window 34 and extends beyond the edges of the window to prevent the admission of light therethrough and an open position displaced from the window to permit the admission of actinic light through the window. The door can be mounted pivotally at any of its end or lateral edges and in the form shown is mounted for pivotal movement at its end closest end wall 16 on end portion 64 of supporting frame 26. A suitable latch (not shown) may be provided for retaining door 74 in the closed position shown in FIGS. 1 through 3.

Exposure of an area of the image-recording sheet to produce a copy of a document is accomplished with the original to be copied disposed between window 34 and an area of sheet 32 supported against the window by pad 4-4. The exposure is made by opening door 74 for a predetermined period, so that the original must be introduced into the apparatus between the photosensitive sheet and the window while the door is closed and without admitting light to expose the image-recording sheet. During exposure, the image-recording sheet and original superposed therewith are urged into superposition and against window 34 by springs 50, but, between exposures, pad 44 is required to be displaced from window 34 to permit the introduction of an original document into the apparatus between the Window and pad. The means for displacing pad 44 away from window 34 comprise engagement members 76 on side walls 40 of tray 36 which extend through openings in side members 46 of supporting frame 26 outwardly beyond the upper and outer surface of window 34. When door 74 is closed, it engages the outer ends of members 76 displacing the members inwardly against the bias of springs 50 and displacing the upper surface of pad 44 away from window 34 to permit the introduction of an original between the pad and the window and the movement of the imagerecording sheet therebetween. When the door is open to make an exposure, the pad automatically moves forward under the bias of springs 50 compressing the original and image-recording sheet between the pad and window.

The apparatus is provided with a slot or passage aligned with the space between pad 44 and window 34 through which an original document may be introduced into position for exposure underlying window 34. The housing is provided with a short upper wall 78 joined to end wall 13 and extending to a position adjacent supporting member 72 and underlying end section designated 89 of frame 26. A passage, designated 82, through which the original is introduced is defined by end section 80 and upper wall 78 and is provided with a suitable light sealing material such as flocking to prevent the admis sion of light into the housing through passage 82. Since the original may be smaller in size than window 34 yet, during exposure, should be centered with respect to the window, provision is made in the form of means, which are not a part of the apparatus, for introducing the original into the apparatus. These means (not shown) comprise an envelope formed of a light-transmitting material equal in width to the width of passage 82 and having a length such that a section of the envelope will project from the housing through passage 82 when an original, contained in the envelope, is in position for exposure between window 34 and pad 44.

As previously noted, the exposed image-recording sheet is treated by a liquid distributed between a sheet and a second or image-recording sheet. The two sheets are advanced into superposition between a pair of juxtaposed pressure-applying members and a quantity of the processing liquid, provided on one of the sheets, is distributed between the sheets to form a sandwich as the sheets are moved relative to and between the pressure-applying members. The apparatus includes a supply of image-receptive sheet 84 which may comprise paper substantially equal in width and length to sheet 32 and coiled upon a conventional spool 86 mounted at its ends on side walls 12 and 14 adjacent end wall 18 and underlying upper wall 78. A guide member 88 formed, for example, of sheet metal is provided between spool 86 and upper Wall 78 for guiding sheet 84 from a location adjacent end wall 18 toward the opposite end of the housing in close proximity to the inner surface of upper wall 78 and thence into superposition with image-recording sheet 32 which is guided from between pad 44 and window 34 around supporting member 72 toward lower wall 22 into engagement with sheet 84.

Sheets 32 and 84 are guided into superposition between a pair of juxtaposed pressure-applying members which perform the functions of superposing the sheets, distributing a processing liquid between the superposed sheets and collecting excess processing liquid following the treatment of each enclosed area of sheet 32 so that the liquid is not distributed in contact with the next succeeding exposed area of the image-recording sheet. The pressureapplying and liquid-collecting means of the invention comprise a pressureapplying member of the type disclosed in the copeuding US. patent application Ser. No. 224,644, filed Sept. 19, 1962 in the name of Arthur I. Sable; and in the form shown, comprise a channel 90 mounted at its ends on side walls 12 and 14 and supporting a resilient deformable member 92 formed of a polymeric or elastomeric foam and having a generally planar upper surface provided with a covering layer 94 of a flexible material, such as polyethylene, which has a low coefiicient of friction with respect to the imagereceptive sheet. The apparatus includes another pressure-applying member 95 in the form of a rigid bar at least equal in length to the width of the areas of the sheets to be treated with the processing liquid, which width is less than the width of the sheets, and including a sheet-engaging surface designated 98 which lies in a straight line and is juxtaposed with the surface of covering layer 94 of deformable member 92. Pressure-applying member 96 is shown in FIGS. 3 and 8 in its operative or pressure-applying position in which resilient deformable member 92 is compressed and the resiliency of member 92 serves to provide the uniformly distributed compressive pressure necessary to distribute a processing liquid between sheets 32 and 84 as the sheets are advanced in superposition between members 92 and 96, the former having a length at least equal to the width of the sheet materials comprising the apparatus.

The processing liquid for each exposed area of the image-recording sheet is provided in a tubular strawshaped container of the type shown and described in US. Patent No. 3,047,387, issued July 31, 1962 in the name of Edwin H. Land. Each container, one of which is shown and designated 160 in FIG. 3, includes a cavity sealed at both ends and filled with a predetermined quantity of the processing liquid sufiicient to treat an exposed area of the image-recording sheet. The container includes a seal at one end of the cavity designed to become unsealed in response to the generation of hydraulic pressure within the liquid in the container, and the fluid contents of the container are discharged therefrom by the progressive application of compressive pressure to the container commencing at the opposite end of the cavity as the container is moved lengthwise toward this opposite (or leading) end relative to a surface on which the liquid is to be dispensed. In the apparatus of the invention, means are provided for allowing container 1620 to be introduced into the apparatus into the position shown in FIG. 3, between sheets 32 and 84 in the region thereof at which the sheets converge into superposed relation that is, between guide member 88 and support member 72; and for progressively applying compressive pressure to the container as it is withdrawn lengthwise from the housing between and across the sheets in order to dispense the liquid contents of the container as an elongated mass supported on and extending across sheet 84 on an area thereof extending transversely of sheet 84 in the region of the leading edge of the area of sheet 84 which is superposed with an exposed area of sheet 32. These means comprise a funnel-shaped passage 1 32 leading to a pressure-applying device comprising lateral guide walls 164, a fixed pressure member 1%, and a movable pressure member 198. Movable pressure member 198 is mounted for pivotal movement between guide walls 104 toward and away from fixed pressure member res and is biased by a spring 119 toward the fixed pressure member. The construction of the pressure members and the spring are such that as container 1% is introduced into the housing through passage 102 between guide walls 194, pressure member 168 will be deflected inwardly against the bias of spring 1110 allowing the passage of the container without applying suflicient pressure to the container to cause its rupture. Pressure member 108 is self-actuating in its operation so that when the container is withdrawn the pressure member L08 pivots outwardly in the direction of withdrawal of the container applying compressive pressure thereto suflicient to cause the discharge of the liquid contents of the container from the trailing end thereof onto sheet 84. Pressure member 193 also cooperates with pressure member 106 and guide walls 194 for preventing the admission of light into the housing through passage 1&2.

As the sheets are advanced between pressure-applying members and 92, the liquid is distributed from the mass in which it was dispensed, between the sheets laminating the sheets to one another to form a sandwich which is advanced within the housing toward the opposite end thereof across opening 23. During the initial processing of the image-recording sheet 32, the sheet remains photosensitive and the sandwich is required to be formed and advanced in a light-free environment. This environment is provided by supporting the apparatus on a gener ally fiat surface with frame 36 in contact with the supporting surface, for example, the top of a table. Frame 30, being resiliently deformable, forms a lighttight seal between lower wall 22 and the supporting surface preventing the admission of light through opening 28 into the processing chamber defined by the supporting surface, side walls 12 and 14, end walls 16 and 18, tray 36, frame 26 and upper walls 20 and 78. The tray and pad 44 cooperate with side members 46, supporting member 72 and wall 54 to maintain this processing chamber lighttight when door 74 covering window 34 is opened.

As means for advancing the sheets through the apparatus, there is provided within the end of the housing between end wall 16 and first section 56 of wall 54 a takeup spool 112 of a conventional design connected through a pinion gear 114 and drive gear 116 to a manually operable crank 118 mounted on the exterior of side wall 14. The apparatus is initially provided with sheet 32 extending from spool 33 between window 34 and pad 44 around supporting member 72 into superposition with sheet 84 between members 92 and 96, and with sheet 84 extending from spool 86 around guide member 88 between the latter and upper wall 78 into superposition with sheet 32 between members 92 and 96 from which the two sheets, or one of the sheets, or a leader attached to one or both of the sheets, extend across opening 28 into contact with second section 58 of wall 54 and thence into engagement with spool 112 to which the sheets, sheet or leader are attached. Processing of each area of the image-recording sheet to form a positive transfer image in the imagereceptive sheet requires that the sheets remain in superposition in a light-free environment during a predetermined minimum processing perior which may be several seconds. To insure that this minimum processing period is allowed, spool 112 is driven by crank 113 through drive gear 116 and pinion gear 114 at a speed much less than the speed of rotation of the crank making it virtually impossible to advance the sheets through the apparatus at an unreasonably fast rate. Moreover, crank 118 has a small diameter making it difiicult to manually rotate the crank at a rate faster than the rate calculated to provide for a minimum processing period.

At the end of the processing period, the area of the image-receptive sheet containing a positive-transfer image constitutes the copy of the original and is separated from the processed area of the image-recording sheet. To accomplish this, the apparatus is inverted so that the processed sandwich is accessible through opening 28 in lower wall 22, to separate an area of sheet 84 comprising a positive copy from the superposed area of the imagerecording sheet which is now considered waste. The area of sheet 84 comprising a copy is severed at its leading edge from the remainder of sheet 84 extending from second section 58 toward spool 112 and remaining laminated with sheet 32. This area of sheet 84 is then stripped from sheet 32 and is again severed at its trailing edge in the vicinity of the pressure-applying members which distribute the processing liquid.

The present invention resides in novel and improved means for facilitating these severing and stripping operations, and comprises providing on the surface of sheet 8 which faces sheet 32, a succession of strips each secured to sheet 84 at the leading edge of an area of the sheet which is superposed with an exposed area of sheet 32 and is to comprise a finished copy. Strips 120 extend transversely of sheet 84 from edge to edge thereof and are formed of a material having a greater tensile or tear strength than sheet 84. Strips 12%) may comprise filamentous elements such as fine threads or wires; or as shown in detail in FIG. 10, the strips may comprise ribbons of a thin sheet material such as polymers having relatively high tear strength, polyethylene terephthalate resins being especially well suited for this purpose. Sheet 34 may be grasped at one edge and torn, as shown in FIG. 2, along the edge of strip 120; and to facilitate grasping of the edge of the sheet and initiating tearing thereof, sheet 84 is provided with portions at one edge each precut or at least weakened along a line extending inwardly from the edge toward an adjacent edge of strip 120. In the form shown in FIG. 10, this portion, designated 122, is out along a line 123 extending from a point on the edge of sheet 84 spaced from the leading edge of strip 120 inwardly and toward the leading edge of strip 120 to a point at said leading edge. Portion 122 may then be grasped between the fingers for tearing sheet 84 along the leading edge of sheet strip 126.

Sheet 84, as it is torn along strip 120 from another portion of sheet 84, is stripped from sheet 32 and withdrawn from the housing through opening 28. To facilitate the severance of this area of sheet 84 at its trailing end, a cutter bar 124 is provided within the housing having a sharpened edge 126 located adjacent the path of movement of the sandwich and member 92. By virtue of this construction, withdrawal and stripping of this area of sheet 84 and severance of the sheet at the trailing edge of this area is accomplished in a single motion, as shown in FIG. 2, when the sheet is drawn against sharpened edge 126.

The sheets are advanced through the apparatus manually and means are provided for indicating to the operator of the apparatus each time a sufiicient length of the sheets have been advanced to process an exposed area of the photosensitive sheet and to move another unexposed area of the photosensitive sheet into position for exposure. In the form shown, these means comprise a reference marl; in the form of a line 128 at the leading edge of each area of image-receptive sheet 84 and a window 130 in upper wall 78 through which the reference line becomes visible as sheet 84 is advanced between guide member 38 and window 30. The reference indicia or line 128, may comprise strip 120, and the reference indicia, window 139 and guide member 88 are so located that advancement of the sheets is discontinued when the reference indicia becomes visible through window 130.

The processing liquid for each area of the imagerecording sheet to be treated is usually provided in a quantity in excess of that required so that foilowing distribution of the processing liquid in contact with an exposed area of the imagerecording sheet and a corresponding area of the image-receptive sheet, a mass of the liquid remains between the sheets where the sheets enter between member 92 and 96. Means are provided for preventing this mass of liquid from being distributed beyond the trailing edges of the processed area into contact with the next successive exposed area of the image-recording sheet. These means, termed trapping means, comprise means for spacing member 96 away from member 92 during the initial movement of the sheets between the members to efifect processing of an exposed area of the image-recording sheet whereby distribution of the processing liquid is temporarily discontinued, and the excess processing liquid remaining at the trailing edge of the processed areas is collected and retained between the sheets rather than being distributed further. In order to trap and retain the excess procesing liquid, pressureapplying member 96 is generally rectangular in cross section and is mounted for pivotal movement about an axis located approximately midway between sheet-engaging surface 93 and the opposite surface of member 96 so that sheet-engaging surface 98 can be moved through 90 from the operative or pressure-applying position shown in FIG. 8, to the inoperative or trapping position shown in FIG. 9, at which there is a substantial gap between pressure-applying member 96 and deformable member 92. Pressure-applying member 96 is mounted for pivotal movement about the aforesaid axis on the ends of a pair of arms 132 each mounted for pivotal movement at its opposite end on one of side walls 12 and 14. Pressureapplying member 96 is resiliently biased by a torsion spring 136 into the inoperative or trapping position thereof, spring 136 being engaged at one end in arm 132 and at its other end with a pin 138 projecting axially from the end of the pressure-applying member 96. A

, tab 14% is turned inwardly from arm 132 and acts as a stop against which pin 138 abuts in the inoperative position of the pressure-applying member.

Means are provided on the ends of pressure-applying member 96 for pivoting the pressure-applying member into its operative fluid-spreading position and in the form shown comprise a pair of sheet engagement members 142 each having a periphery which is cylindrical with respect to the aforementioned axis about which member 96 is pivotable and having a radius approximately equal to the distance between the aforesaid axis and sheetengaging surface 98. Engagement members 142 are positioned for engaging the image-recording sheet at its lateral margins and the cylindrical surface of each of the sheet engagement members is constructed and designed to promote frictional engagement with the sheets. This can be accomplished by knurling or otherwise roughing the cylindrical surfaces of members 14-2 if the latter are formed of metal, or forming members 142 of material such as rubber having a high coefficient of friction. In the operation of the apparatus, when advancement of the sheets is discontinued and the processing liquid distributed between and in contact with the adjacent surfaces of an exposed area of sheet 32 and another area of sheet 84, the pressure-applying member 96 is in the operative position shown in FIG. 8 with a mass, designated 144-, of the excess processing liquid being located in between the sheets converge into superposition adjacent member 96. Rotation of pressure-applying member 96 through 90 to the inoperative position of FIG. 9 is prevented by frictional engagement of members 95 and 142 with sheet 32, and this condition prevails until members as and 142 are displaced from member 92 permitting pressure-applying member 96 to pivot under the bias of spring 136 into inoperative position. Arms 132 are pivotable to move sheet engagement members 142 toward and away from member 92 and include control members 134 which extend from the end of the arm on which member 96 is mounted, through openings in side member 4-6 of the housing beyond the upper surface of window 34. In this construction door 74, in the closed position, engages control members 134 thereby holding pressure-applying member 96 and sheet engagement members 142 against the sheets disposed between members 92 and 96, and in order to permit rotation of member 915 with respect to member 92 out of engagement with sheet 32 when door 74 is moved to its open position in order to expose an area of the image-recording sheet. When door 74- is opened, sheet engagement members 142 are no longer urged or held in engagement with sheet 32 thereby allowing member 96 to pivot into inoperative position during the initial advancement of the sheets for processing the next succeeding exposed area of the image-recording sheet.

When door 74 is closed to terminate the exposure of an area of sheet 32, members 142 are again urged into engagement with sheet 32 so that during the initial portion of the subsequent movement of sheet 32, members 142 and pressure-applying member 96 are pivoted against the bias of spring 136 in a counterclockwise direction (viewing FIGS. 8 and 9), into a position in which sheet engagement surface 98 is engaged with a portion of sheet 32 located between member 96 and member 92 so that continued movement of the sheets continues the rotation of member 96 into the operative position of FIG. 8. During this pivotal movement or" member 96 from inoperative to operative position, the mass 144 of liquid left over from producing the previous copy is trapped and retained between portions of the sheets which have been advanced between the pressure-applying members and which are located between successive exposed areas of the image-recording sheet. In order that the sheets may be advanced between members 96 and 92 subject only to frictional engagement with covering layer 94 and sheet engagement surface 98, each of members 142 is relieved at the portion thereof which closest member 92 when member 96 is in operative position. Stated differently, in this operative position of member 96, each of members 142 includes a surface portion 146 which is spaced from the pivotal axis of member 96 by a distance substantially less than the distance separating the axis and sheet engagement surface 98.

To operate the document-copying apparatus of the invention, the apparatus is placed on a supporting surface with lower wall 22 facing the supporting surface and frame 30 engaged with the supporting surface. The original document to be copied is introduced into the lighttransmitting envelope as previously described and introduced through passage 82 into position for exposure between an area of sheet 32 supported on pad 44 and window 34. Door 74 is then opened for a predetermined period the length of which depends on the brightness of the ambient light thereby permitting the upward move ment of pad 44 clamping the original envelope and sheet 32 between the pad and the window during exposure. When the door is opened, member 96, if it had been in operative position, is allowed to pivot under the bias of spring 136 into inoperative position. The door is then closed displacing pad 44 from window 34 and holding members 1142 in engagement with sheet 32. The envelope containing the original document may then be withdrawn from the housing, although this is not necessary, a container of processing liquid is then introduced through passage 102 in the housing and then withdrawn from the housing causing its fiuid contents to be distributed as an elon ated mass on sheet 84. Crank 118 is then rotated to advance the sheets through the apparatus until line 128 becomes visible through window 130. During the initial advancement of the sheets, pressure-applying member 96 is rotated into its operative position, any excess processing liquid from the previous copy is trapped between the sheets and thereafter the processing liquid, dispensed from the container onto sheet 84, is distributed between the exposed area of the image-recording sheet and a correspondin area of sheet 84 to form a sandwich which is advanced into the processing chamber previously described underlying opening 28. The apparatus is then inverted to provide access to opening 128 so that the operator can grasp portion 122 of sheet 34 and simultaneously tear sheet 34 along the edge of strip 12% separate the portion of sheet 84 comprising the copy from sheet 32 and then tear sheet 8 against sharpened edge 126 of cutter bar 124. The apparatus may then be righted and supported on a support surface with frame 30 in contact therewith and the operation repeated for another copy at any time when such other copy is desired.

The apparatus may be employed to make a copy or copies as often and at whatever intervals are desired and convenient; and inasmuch as the liquid for each copy is provided in a separate container and does not deteriorate with age as is the case in conventional copying apparatus in which the processing liquid for a number of copies is contained in a container through which one or both of the sheets is passed for wetting the sheets. There are no liquids to spill, and the waste materials, with the exception of collapsed containers, are contained within the housing and are discarded along with the housing and operating components of the apparatus when the sheet materials have been expended to make copies. The only materials which are handled by the operator are the containers of processing liquid, which are merely introduced into and withdrawn from the housing, and the finished copies. The process, as previously noted, is substantially dry so that neither the apparatus nor the operator comes into contact with the processing liquid.

Since certain changes may be made in the above product without departing from the scope of the invention herein involved, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

What is claimed is:

1. In a composite photographic product including a photosensitive image-recording sheet and a second sheet each having a succession of spaced areas arranged for movement into superposition with one another during treatment with a liquid distributed between said superposed areas of said sh ets, laminating said portions of said sheets, including said superposed areas, to each other during said treatment; in combination with said sheets:

means for severing portions of said second sheet each including one of said areas, from other portions of said second sheet intermediate said areas thereof;

said means comprising a plurality of elongated strips each attached to the face of said second sheet which is arranged to face said image-recording sheet when said sheets are superposed located adjacent a transverse edge of one of said areas of said second sheet and extending transversely of said second sheet substantially from edge to edge thereof;

each of said strips having a greater resistance to rupture and tearing than said second sheet;

said second sheet being provided with a plurality of narrow, weakened portions substantially less resistant to tearing than the remainder of said second sheet, each of said weakened portions beginning at an edge of said second sheet at a location spaced from one of said elongated strips and to the side of said one strip opposite said one area of said second sheet with which said one strip is associated and extending inwardly from said edge along a line to a point immediately adjacent said one strip to define a section bounded by said weakened portion, said edge and said one strip for enabling said one elongated strip to be gripped following lamination of said sheets.

2. The photographic product of claim 1 in which said strips are filamentous elements.

3. The photographic product of claim 1 in which said strips are narrow ribbons.

4. The photographic product of claim 3 in which said second sheet is composed of paper and said strips are composed of thin polymeric film material.

5. The photographic product of claim 1 in which said second sheet is precut along said narrow, weakened portions.

6. A composite photographic product comprising, in combination:

a photographic imagerecording sheet including a succession of spaced areas adapted to be exposed to actinic light to form images therein;

a second sheet including a succession of spaced areas arranged for movement into superposition with said exposed areas of said image-recording sheet for supporting photographic transfer images formed from said areas of said image-recording sheet by a processing liquid distributed between said superposed areas of said sheets and laminating said portions of said sheets, including said superposed areas, to each other;

means for promoting the severances of portions of said second sheet, each including one of said areas supporting said transfer images, from other portions of said second sheet intermediate said areas thereof;

said means including a plurality of elongated strips each attached to the face of said second sheet arranged to face said image-recording sheet when said sheets are superposed, adjacent a transverse edge of one of said areas of said second sheet and extending transversely of said second sheet substantially in a straight line from edge to edge thereof;

each of said strips having a greater resistance to rupture and tearing than said second sheet;

said second sheet being provided with a plurality of narrow, weakened portions substantially less resistant to tearing than the remainder of said second sheet;

each of said weakened portions beginning at an edge of said second sheet at a location spaced from one of said elongated strips and to the side of said one strip opposite said one area of said second sheet with which said one strip is associated and extending inwardly from said edge along a line to a point immediately adjacent said one strip to define a section bounded by said weakened portion, said edge and said one strip for enabling said one elongated strip to be gripped following lamination of said sheets.

'7. The photographic product of claim 6 in which said second sheet is precut along said narrow, weakened portions.

3. A photographic image-receptive sheet for use in photographic processes in which successive spaced areas of said sheet are superposed with areas of a photosensitive image-recording sheet and a processing liquid is distributed between said superposed areas to form transfer images on said areas of said image-receptive sheet and laminate portions of said sheets including said superposed areas to each other, said image-receptive sheet comprising, in combination:

a plurality of elongated strips each attached to the face of said image-receptive sheet which is superposed with said image-recording sheet, adjacent a transverse edge of one of said areas of said image-receptive sheet and extending transversely of said second sheet substantially from edge to edge thereof;

each of said strips having a greater resistance to rupture and tearing than said image-receptive sheet;

said image-receptive sheet including a plurality of sections each located adjacent one of said strips intermediate successive areas of said image-receptive sheet and extending inward from an edge of said imagereceptive sheet a relatively short distance for enabling said image-receptive sheet and said one strip to be gripped following lamination of said sheets;

each of said sections being defined by one of said elongated strips, an edge of said second sheet and a precut region extending along a line beginning at said edge of said second sheet at a location spaced from said one elongated strip and to the side of said one strip opposite one of said successive areas of said image-receptive sheet and extending inwardly to a point immediately adjacent said one strip.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS Re. 24,251 12/1956 Kaplan et al. 20656 2,563,387 8/1951 McCune 9629 2,946,434 7/1960 Brina 20656 NORMAN G. TORCHIN, Primary Examiner.

DONALD LEVY, Examiner. 

1. IN A COMPOSITE PHOTOGRAPHIC PRODUCT INCLUDING A PHOTOSENSITIVE IMAGE-RECORDING SHEET AND A SECOND SHEET EACH HAVING A SUCCESSION OF SPACED AREAS ARRANGED FOR MOVEMENT INTO SUPERPOSITION WITH ONE ANOTHER DURING TREATMENT WITH A LIQUID DISTRIBUTED BETWEEN SAID SUPERPOSED AREAS OF SAID SHEETS, LAMINATING SAID PORTIONS OF SAID SHEETS, INCLUDING SAID SUPERPOSED AREAS, TO EACH OTHER DURING SAID TREATMENT; IN COMBINATION WITH SAID SHEETS: MEANS FOR SEVERING PORTIONS OF SAID SECOND SHEET EACH INCLUDING ONE OF SAID AREAS, FROM OTHER PORTIONS OF SAID SECOND SHEET INTERMEDIATE SAID AREAS THEREOF; SAID MEANS COMPRISING A PLURALITY OF ELONGATED STRIPS EACH ATTACHED TO THE FACE OF SAID SECOND SHEET WHICH IS ARRANGED TO FACE SAID IMAGE-RECORDING SHEET WHEN SAID SHEETS ARE SUPERPOSED LOCATED ADJACENT A TRANSVERSE EDGE OF ONE OF SAID AREAS OF SAID SECOND SHEET AND EXTENDING TRANSVERSELY OF SAID SECOND SHEET SUBSTANTIALLY FROM EDGE TO EDGE THEREOF; EACH OF SAID STRIPS HAVING A GREATER RESISTANCE TO RUPTURE AND TEARING THAN SAID SECOND SHEET; SAID SECOND SHEET BEING PROVIDED WITH A PLURALITY OF NARROW, WEAKENED PORTIONS SUBSTANTIALLY LESS RESISTANT TO TEARING THAN THE REMAINDER OF SAID SECOND SHEET, EACH OF SAID WEAKENED PORTIONS BEGINNING AT AN EDGE OF SECOND SHEET AT A LOCATION SPACED FROM ONE OF SAID ELONGATED STRIPS AND TO THE SIDE OF SAID ONE STRIP OPPOSITE SAID ONE AREA OF SAID SECOND SHEET WITH WHICH SAID ONE STRIP IS ASSOCIATED AND EXTENDING INWARDLY FROM SAID EDGE ALONG A LINE TO A POINT IMMEDIATELY ADJACENT SAID ONE STRIP TO DEFINE A SECTION BOUNDED BY SAID WEAKENED PORTION, SAID EDGE AND SAID ONE STRIP FOR ENABLING SAID ONE ELONGATED STRIP TO BE GRIPPED FOLLOWING LAMINATION OF SAID SHEETS. 